- Reuters/Sigit Pamungkas
VIVAnews – Indonesia Rescue team has extended the perimeter of search efforts in pursuit of seeking the survivors of a sunken ship on Prigi Waters, Trenggalek, East Java.
“If it is possible, we are planning to search all the way to Banyuwangi,” Head of National SAR Agency of East Java, Sutrisno, told VIVAnews on Tuesday, Dec 20.
The attempt to expand the search area is not without reason. Yesterday, rescuers found another 13 survivors in Nusa Barong Island, Jember. The conditions of these passengers have improved (earlier, they were presumed dead).
“They are currently receiving medical assistance in Jember,” said Sutrisno.
The SAR team will use Untung Suropati naval ship to find more survivors eastward. Meanwhile, the SAR vessel will start its search from the location of the sunken ship on Prigi Waters westward to the borders of Trenggalek and Pacitan.
“Two helicopters are also prepared for the search.”
Until now, 49 survivors have been rescue. The sunken ship contained around 200 immigrants from the Middle East. The vessel sank on Prigi Waters on Saturday, Dec 17.
Asylum seekers, usually from Middle Eastern countries, often pass through Indonesian waters as they try to reach Australia. The practice is a major political issue in Australia, highlighted in December last year when a wooden boat crammed with about 90 people crashed in heavy seas against the cliffs of Christmas Island, killing as many as 50.
